Coronavirus Guidance

Latest news and advice for musicians during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please monitor the updates issued online by the government and comply with all guidance provided.

Last updated: 10 December 2020

General considerations

Normal hygiene precautions

In order to slow the spread of Covid-19, please observe the advice on the NHS website which has some important guidance on catching and spreading germs.

Self-isolation, testing and tracing

If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it is important that you self-isolate and follow the NHS advice on testing and tracing.

Observing the lockdown

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently in different levels of lockdown and firebreak measures, read our latest advice.

Get the latest coronavirus updates

No fear, no fuss, just the latest Coronavirus advice and resources for all musicians, delivered to your inbox.

Stay up to date

Be sure your voice is heard

Shielding Members Take our Survey

Help us to lobby for better and more structured support for members who can not return to work due to shielding, by completing the survey we're running with the Ivors Academy.

Latest Covid-19 Changes and Restrictions

All about lockdown restrictions and lifting and its impact on musicians' work.

Sign up to regular updates

No fear, no fuss, just the latest Coronavirus advice and resources for all musicians, delivered to your inbox.

Follow the #AsktheMU

Follow our regular question and answer sessions over social media, with our senior members of staff.

Help and support

Financial Assistance

Help for musicians in times of hardship and guidance on Government benefits.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Advice and support to help you to look after yourself.

Government Measures

Guidance on measures from the UK governments for the music industry.

Cancelled contracts and income loss

For MU members

Membership Subs Holiday

Struggling to pay your MU membership subscription during the Covid-19 crisis?

Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Our fund for MU members with genuine and pressing hardship

Workplace advice

Working from Home

What to consider when you are a musician working from home remotely

Music Teaching

Guidance and health and safety advice for musicians who teach during COVID-19.

Live performances

Advice for live musicians and music venues

Recording sessions

Safety advice for session musicians working in recording studios.

Theatre work

How we’re lobbying the Government to better protect theatre musicians

Orchestral work

Advice for orchestral players returning to work safely.

Government Must Act to Protect the Future of Music

Call on Government to invest in musicians at the heart of our £5.8bn industry. No-one should be left behind by Government support.

Take action now See all Campaigns

Government Must Act to Protect the Future of Music

Latest news and features

Photograph of a confusing sign post, arrows indicating the same thing are pointing in different directions.

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

In this week’s lobbying update, find out more about how issues for touring musicians were covered in yesterday’s debate in parliament and what the MU intends to focus on moving forward.

A young musician singing into a microphone behind a protective screen.

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

The MU and The Ivors Academy have today responded with incredulity to the testimonies of the UK heads of the three major labels during questioning by the Select Committee inquiry into the Economics of Streaming.

Black and white photograph from backstage at a festival. We can see a number of musicians playing on stage from behind, and a large outdoor audience facing inwards.

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021.

Photograph of the sun setting over the houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved.

Photograph of an accessible entrance sign attached to a brick wall outside a building.

Creating Your Own Access Rider

We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access.

Have your voice